'I feel like a priest,' says Buffett

WARREN Buffett, the world's most successful stock picker, is moonlighting as adviser and confidante to some of America's best-known chiefs.

General Electric's Jeffrey Immelt, Microsoft's Bill Gates and Walt Disney's Michael Eisner are among a string of big hitters to make the pilgrimage to Buffett's home town of Omaha, Nebraska.

Domestic diva Martha Stewart, who faces a criminal trial for securities fraud in January, visited him last month.

'Lately, I've been feeling like a priest,' Buffett told the Wall Street Journal. 'It's always fun. I like to talk, I like to think and I have always enjoyed teaching.' He declined to name his visitors.

Immelt changed executive pay structures and rewrote his annual report after Buffett advised against an early draft.

Gates changed the accounting treatment of stock options at Microsoft after sharing hot fudge sundaes with Buffett in his favourite Omaha steakhouse, Gorat's.